police | ALXnow - Part 105

City Clearing Roadways as Vigils, Peaceful Walks Planned in Alexandria

Published June 4, 2020 at 4:30PM | Updated June 4, 2020 at 9:08PM

Alexandria is shutting down vehicular access to a number of its roadways Thursday, as residents are expected to turn out in droves in support of George Floyd and a number of African Americans who have died at the hands of the police throughout the country.

A number of new events have also been planned in Alexandria in the days ahead. Today from 4-7 p.m., a march is planned from George Washington Middle School along King Street to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Traffic is being cleared for pedestrians, and drivers are being advised to avoid the area.

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Racial Inequities Must Be Fixed, Say Alexandria Officials and Residents

By James Cullum

Published June 3, 2020 at 3:25PM

Kamryn Powell is tired of feeling scared when she goes outside in Alexandria. The T.C. Williams senior says that recent killings of black Americans at the hands of the police around the country have made her fearful for her safety.

“Honestly, it’s completely heartbreaking,” Powell said in a virtual meeting with community leaders on Tuesday. “It makes me feel unsafe in my own country. For me to have to wake up and say, ‘I hope I make it back home today,’ is not something I should have to say. It’s not something my brother should have to say, it’s not something my sister should have to say, and for me to even think that is appalling.”

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Alexandria Police Stand with Demonstrators at #EndWhiteSilence Vigil

By James Cullum

Published June 3, 2020 at 12:10PM

Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown joins protestors outside the city's police headquarters on Tuesday, June 2, 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown joined demonstrators on Tuesday night as they chanted “Black lives matter” outside the city’s police headquarters on Tuesday night.

“We’re here today because we are in grief,” a protestor said. “We are grieving for the many, many black people who are killed because of racist police violence.”

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Protests and Vigils for Racial Justice Planned in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published June 2, 2020 at 3:30PM | Updated June 2, 2020 at 3:57PM

There are a number of planned demonstrations against police brutality and racism this week in Alexandria, including one tomorrow that had originally been a protest against rent.

The planned protest for rent cancellation at Southern Towers has been realigned to focus on longstanding racial inequity issues being protested nationwide.

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Teen Arrested in Old Town for Weapon Possession and Drug Violation

By James Cullum

Published June 2, 2020 at 11:30AM

Police car lights (file photo)

An Alexandria teenager was arrested on May 13 for illegal possession of a firearm and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana.

On May 13, Alexandria Police were called to the 300 block of Tancil Court in Old Town after receiving multiple drug complaints. Officers observed a group of known and unknown individuals “loitering in the area,” noted a search warrant affidavit.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published June 2, 2020 at 8:30AM | Updated June 2, 2020 at 9:29AM

City Leaders Participating in Town Hall to Discuss Race Relations — “Tuesday’s town hall (at 7 p.m.) will feature a range of speakers including Councilman John Chapman and School Superintendent Gregory C. Hutchings Jr, Chief of Police Michael Brown and the City’s Race and Social Equity Officer, Jaqueline Tucker. There will also be opportunities for small group conversations and for participants to weigh in on the topics for future town halls.” [ALX Community]

Local Company Sees Strong Sales After May 1 ‘Shark Tank’ Appearance — “It really was a huge blessing because we just can’t be in stores right now, and we understand that, so we’re really grateful for the ‘Shark Tank’ episode to give us that push on e-commerce.” [Washington Business Journal]

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Vigil for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor in Old Town on Thursday

By James Cullum

Published June 1, 2020 at 2:00PM

As protests continue nationwide for victims of racial violence, Alexandria community organizers are planning to conduct a peaceful vigil in honor of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor on Thursday.

The vigil is scheduled to be held at Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street) from 7-8:30 p.m.

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Police Chief: ‘It is time now for us to witness the justice that Mr. Floyd and his family deserve’

By Vernon Miles

Published June 1, 2020 at 11:35AM | Updated June 1, 2020 at 3:56PM

Alexandria Police Chief Mike Brown outside a food distribution event at Casa Chirilagua on Thursday, May 21, 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

This morning (Monday), Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown shared an open letter to the community sharing his outrage at the death of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer pressed his knee down on the man’s neck for eight minutes.

The letter is posted below without edits:

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Mayor Wilson: Alexandria Can Honor George Floyd By Fixing Its Inequities

By ALXnow.com

Published May 29, 2020 at 5:15PM

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson outside COra Kelly School on May 25, 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

As the country grapples with the death of George Floyd at the hands of four since-fired Minneapolis police officers, and the fiery protests that have followed, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson has released a letter to the community.

Wilson said that a “culture of white supremacy” is present in Alexandria, and that the current coronavirus pandemic has exposed how residents of color have high infection rates.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 29, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated May 29, 2020 at 9:21AM

Sen. Kaine and Wife Anne Holton Test Positive for Coronavirus Antibodies — “After testing positive for the flu earlier in the year, the state’s junior senator said in a statement he experienced new symptoms in late March. He initially thought the symptoms were flu remnants and a reaction to a high pollen count. But when his wife developed fever and chills, then congestion and a cough, they went to health providers in early April.” [Patch]

Police Chase Ends With Suspect Falling 25 Feet Off Beltway — “A man behind the wheel of what Virginia State Police thought was a stolen Ford Expedition rammed two police vehicles on the Capital Beltway, lost control, slammed into a Jersey Wall and then ran across the interstate, jumped over another wall and fell 25 feet Wednesday night.” [WTOP]

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Man Robbed of $400 at Gunpoint in Alexandria’s West End

By James Cullum

Published May 28, 2020 at 2:00PM

An Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a robbery at gunpoint that occurred last night in the 5400 block of Richenbacher Avenue in the city’s West End.

The victim, a male in his 30s, was waiting in a parking lot at around 8:30 p.m. to buy an electronics item from an individual he met online. When the seller arrived, he pointed a handgun at the victim and took $400 in cash, according to Alexandria Police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine.